We Need a Little Christmas...

Can I tell you how excited I am about Advent? I love this time of year! One more Sunday (Christ the King), and then we're off to prepare ourselves for Christ's birth. Today, my copy of Worship Arts (the periodical of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts) arrived in the mail, with a handwritten note from the editor. I opened it up to find an article I wrote on page 8. I, of course, expected to see the article. It was, however, very different to see it in print, with my name and picture attached. I am humbled to think that God has called me to the awesome task of ministry...which is actually what this particular post is about.

This awesome task of ministry takes on new meaning at low points in congregations. Every congregation experiences them - we get lulled into complacency because everything is going well. People are less likely to get involved at a higher level than they already are. People like how things are, and as long as the boat doesn't get rocked too much, they are satisfied.

When we get into periods of low points, congregations must cheer one another! Sometimes it takes a lot of work and creativity to cheer on people in churches; sometimes, though, it is all too natural. Advent is one of those natural opportunities. Yes, we need a little Christmas, because it brings with it an excitement and joy that is euphoric. BUT, that joy and excitement is heightened by the season of Advent. When we prepare ourselves for Christ's birth, we get in an attitude of expectancy. And really, we need to have that attitude all year long. For four weeks in the church year, we get to experience it, and learn how to be on the alert that God is about to do a great thing, and we want to be a part of it. What if we took that same attitude of expectation that we discover when we do Advent well (and let Christmas be from December 25-January 6), and placed that expectancy in worship each week of the year? It's like having Christmas all year long!